COVID-19 can cause chills and a sensation of feeling cold due to its impact on the body’s immune response and fever development.
The Connection Between COVID-19 and Feeling Cold
COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, triggers a complex immune response that often leads to symptoms like fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. One common experience reported by many infected individuals is feeling cold or experiencing chills. But why does this happen? The sensation of being cold during a viral infection is primarily linked to the body’s fever response.
When your body detects an invading virus like SARS-CoV-2, it raises its internal thermostat in the hypothalamus to create a fever. This elevated set-point causes your muscles to contract rapidly, generating heat through shivering. During this process, you might feel cold even though your body temperature is rising. This mismatch between internal temperature and external perception explains why chills or cold sensations are typical early symptoms during COVID-19.
How Fever Causes Chills and Cold Sensations
Fever is a natural defense mechanism designed to make the body less hospitable for viruses and bacteria. When the hypothalamus increases your body’s temperature set-point, the body reacts by conserving heat and generating more warmth. Blood vessels near the skin constrict (vasoconstriction), reducing heat loss through the skin, which contributes to that cold feeling on the surface.
Muscle contractions or shivering produce heat internally but feel uncomfortable, often described as chills or shivers running down the spine. This process explains why many COVID-19 patients report sudden bouts of feeling cold or shivering before their fever peaks.
Common Symptoms Related to Feeling Cold in COVID-19
COVID-19 symptoms vary widely but chills and cold sensations often accompany other systemic signs of infection. Here are some typical symptoms tied to this sensation:
- Fever: Elevated body temperature usually above 100.4°F (38°C).
- Chills: Shivering or shaking as the body attempts to increase temperature.
- Fatigue: General tiredness that can enhance sensitivity to cold.
- Muscle aches: Can cause discomfort that feels like coldness or stiffness.
- Sore throat: May contribute indirectly by making swallowing painful and reducing hydration.
These symptoms often overlap with other viral infections like influenza, making it tricky to distinguish without testing. However, chills combined with respiratory symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath should raise suspicion for COVID-19.
The Role of Immune Response in Chills
The immune system releases chemicals called pyrogens during infection. These pyrogens signal the brain’s hypothalamus to increase body temperature and induce chills as part of fever onset. Cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) play critical roles in this process.
In COVID-19 cases, an overactive immune response sometimes leads to a “cytokine storm,” which can heighten symptoms including severe chills, high fever, and systemic inflammation. This exaggerated reaction explains why some patients feel extremely cold despite having dangerously high fevers.
How Long Do Cold Sensations Last with COVID-19?
The duration of chills or feeling cold varies depending on several factors: severity of infection, individual immune response, age, pre-existing health conditions, and whether treatment has begun.
Typically, chills appear early in the disease course—often at symptom onset or just before fever spikes—and last a few days as the fever fluctuates. Mild cases may experience only brief episodes lasting 1–3 days. More severe infections can cause prolonged chills lasting a week or longer due to persistent inflammation.
Recovery from these symptoms generally parallels resolution of fever and other systemic signs as viral load decreases and immunity builds up.
Treatment Approaches for Managing Cold Sensations
While there’s no direct treatment for feeling cold itself during COVID-19, managing underlying fever helps alleviate these sensations:
- Antipyretics: Medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen reduce fever and relieve muscle aches.
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of fluids helps regulate temperature control mechanisms.
- Rest: Conserving energy supports immune function.
- Lukewarm environment: Keeping rooms comfortably warm without overheating prevents worsening chills.
Avoid excessive bundling up since overheating can worsen discomfort once the fever breaks.
Differentiating COVID Chills from Other Causes of Feeling Cold
Feeling cold isn’t unique to COVID-19; many conditions cause similar sensations. Distinguishing COVID-related chills requires attention to accompanying signs:
| Cause | Typical Symptoms | Differentiating Factors |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 | Fever, cough, fatigue, loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath | PCR/antigen test positive; respiratory involvement; anosmia common |
| Common Cold/Flu | Sneezing, runny nose, mild cough; less severe fatigue than COVID | No loss of taste/smell; usually milder overall; seasonal patterns |
| Anemia | Pale skin, weakness, dizziness; feeling cold without fever | No infection signs; diagnosed via blood tests; chronic condition |
| Hypothyroidism | Tiredness, weight gain, dry skin; persistent cold intolerance without fever | Labs show low thyroid hormone levels; no infectious symptoms present |
If chills occur alongside respiratory distress or sudden loss of smell/taste during widespread viral outbreaks, testing for COVID-19 is strongly recommended.
The Science Behind Why Some People Feel Colder Than Others with COVID-19
Individual differences affect how people experience chills during infection:
- Immune system variability: Some mount stronger inflammatory responses leading to more intense fevers and chills.
- Age-related changes: Older adults may have blunted fever responses but still feel fatigued or chilled due to poor circulation.
- Nutritional status: Deficiencies in vitamins D or B12 can impair immune function causing prolonged symptoms.
- Circulatory health: Poor blood flow can exacerbate feelings of coldness even if core temperature is elevated.
These factors explain why two people with similar viral loads might report very different symptom intensities related to feeling cold.
The Role of Long COVID in Persistent Cold Sensations
Some individuals recovering from acute infection experience lingering symptoms known as “long COVID.” Fatigue remains common while some report ongoing temperature regulation issues including sensitivity to cold environments or unexplained chills without active infection.
This phenomenon likely stems from dysregulated immune signaling or autonomic nervous system dysfunction post-infection. Research continues into mechanisms behind these persistent sensory disturbances after clearing the virus.
The Importance of Monitoring Temperature Changes During COVID Illness
Tracking your body temperature offers valuable clues about disease progression:
- A rising fever accompanied by new onset chills suggests active viral replication needing medical attention if severe.
- A sudden drop in temperature after prolonged high fevers could indicate complications like sepsis requiring urgent care.
- Mild fluctuations within normal range often signal recovery phases where chill sensations diminish gradually.
Using a reliable thermometer at regular intervals helps guide self-care decisions including when to seek professional evaluation.
Tackling Myths: Does COVID Make You Cold? Debunked!
There’s plenty of misinformation swirling around about how exactly COVID affects body temperature sensations:
- “COVID only causes fever but not chills.” False – Chills are a hallmark symptom linked directly with developing fevers during infection.
- “Feeling cold means you don’t have COVID.” Incorrect – Many patients report intense cold sensations despite having elevated internal temperatures.
- “If you don’t feel hot or sweaty then you’re not sick.” Misleading – Some people never develop high fevers yet still carry active infections transmitting virus unknowingly.
Understanding these facts helps reduce fear and encourages timely testing when experiencing suspicious symptoms including unexplained chilliness.
Key Takeaways: Does COVID Make You Cold?
➤ COVID-19 symptoms vary widely among individuals.
➤ Feeling cold is not a common COVID symptom.
➤ Fever is more typical than chills or cold sensations.
➤ Always monitor symptoms and seek medical advice if needed.
➤ Stay updated with health guidelines for accurate info.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does COVID Make You Feel Cold?
Yes, COVID-19 can cause you to feel cold or experience chills. This sensation is linked to the body’s fever response, where the internal temperature rises but you feel cold due to muscle contractions and reduced heat loss through the skin.
Why Does COVID Cause Cold Sensations?
COVID triggers the hypothalamus to raise your body’s temperature set-point, causing fever. Blood vessels constrict near the skin to conserve heat, and muscles shiver to generate warmth. These processes create a feeling of cold despite an elevated body temperature.
Are Chills a Common Symptom of COVID?
Chills are commonly reported by people infected with COVID-19. They often occur early in the illness as the body tries to increase its temperature to fight off the virus. Chills may be accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue and muscle aches.
How Can You Differentiate COVID Cold Sensations from Other Illnesses?
The chills and cold feelings from COVID-19 are similar to those seen in other viral infections like the flu. However, COVID often includes respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath, which can help distinguish it from other illnesses.
Does Feeling Cold Mean You Have a Fever with COVID?
Feeling cold or experiencing chills during COVID usually indicates that your body is developing a fever. The sensation happens because your body is working to raise its internal temperature, even if you initially feel cold on the outside.
Conclusion – Does COVID Make You Cold?
Yes—COVID-19 frequently causes feelings of being cold due to its impact on the body’s immune system triggering fevers and associated chills. These sensations arise from physiological responses designed to fight off viral invaders by raising core temperature through shivering and blood vessel constriction near the skin surface. The intensity varies widely among individuals depending on their immune reaction strength and overall health status.
Monitoring chill episodes alongside other symptoms such as cough, fatigue, loss of smell/taste provides crucial insight into disease status. Proper management using antipyretics, hydration, rest, and comfortable surroundings helps ease discomfort caused by these chilling bouts.
Recognizing that feeling cold is part of the natural defense against SARS-CoV-2 empowers patients with knowledge rather than fear—allowing better coping strategies throughout illness recovery phases while awaiting complete resolution of symptoms.